Discussion PSU recommendations and power supply discussion thread - Tom's hardware

[superninja12]

Hi guys,

Building a new system. According to pcpartpicker, my system needs 364w. I will add probably more components in the years coming.

What do you think i would get, a 550 or 650w psu?

Like:

Corsair:

- TX550M is 79 euro

- TX650M is 92 euro

while the

- RM500x is 94 euro

- RM650x is 100 euro

Thinks those are all good but don't want to buy too big W PSU when i dont need it.

thanks

note: it will have a MSI Radeon RX 580 ARMOR 8G OC which requires a 500W psu

tx550m

 

[logainofhades]

If not overclocking, get the TX550m. If you want to overclock, I would go with the TX650m.

 

[Darkbreeze]

maybe you are right, having no problem so far with coolermaster or somebrands like this led me to think this way.
.

I would avoid Thermaltake and Cooler Master. They do have a few good units, but most of the models they sell are either poor or mediocre, and the ones they have that ARE good are usually way overpriced. Obviously, this may vary somewhat from region to region. There ARE situations where one of their units happens to be the best choice, but that is rare.

This is just ONE example of why I say that. Very new and modern CM unit. One of the worst scores ever seen on JG for a well known brand name product. Doesn't look to be much better than most Raidmax units. Sad.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=563

 

[logainofhades]

Only Thermaltake I would recommend are the Tough Power Grand RGB, because those are the only ones that I know have reviewed well. Also would only recommend it for those wanting to RGB all the things.

 

[clarkjd]

maybe you are right, having no problem so far with coolermaster or somebrands like this led me to think this way.
.

I would avoid Thermaltake and Cooler Master. They do have a few good units, but most of the models they sell are either poor or mediocre, and the ones they have that ARE good are usually way overpriced. Obviously, this may vary somewhat from region to region. There ARE situations where one of their units happens to be the best choice, but that is rare.

This is just ONE example of why I say that. Very new and modern CM unit. One of the worst scores ever seen on JG for a well known brand name product. Doesn't look to be much better than most Raidmax units. Sad.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=563

Any PSU with the word "Lite" in its name is questionable at best!

 

[Darkbreeze]

At least for a gaming system. For a very low powered office or internet machine, it might be fine. Even then though, I'd still prefer something decent. CM and Thermaltake have a very bad track record in that regard over the last fifteen years or so.

 

[Onus]

I have no personal experience with Thermaltake. Coolermaster, as a brand, has earned a place on my personal "Do Not Buy" list (all products) for a range of personal experience with some of their products, and a VERY poor review history that includes fraud (not merely "exaggeration") across multiple product lines.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Funny thing, being as we're talking about Cooler Master. They just released a product that I might just be interested in buying unless somebody else releases another version of it sometime soon. It's a 90 degree 24 pin ATX adapter so your cabling doesn't have to make a big U to plug in.

http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/power-supply-adapter/atx-24pin-90-degree-adapter-with-added-capacitors/

 

[Saga Lout]

One day they'll remove that annoying clip that holds the cable in.

How is it ever going to fall out if that wasn't there but how many finger nails have given up their lives in the attempt to removed them?

NO!! you aren't supposed to use it to lift the motherboard out of the case.

 

[4745454b]

I found a tiny flat head screwdriver will pop it off and save the fingernails. Assuming you have the room.

 

[DSzymborski]

I found a tiny flat head screwdriver will pop it off and save the fingernails. Assuming you have the room.

You were so lucky your Swiss Army knife just happened to have one!

 

[Rogue Leader]

I found a tiny flat head screwdriver will pop it off and save the fingernails. Assuming you have the room.

You were so lucky your Swiss Army knife just happened to have one!

 

[DSzymborski]

Seriously, that video is going to be the gift that keeps on giving for *years*.

 

[4745454b]

Oops, I didn't. Damn.

 

[clarkjd]

Oops, I didn't. Damn.

Well, poop!

 

[domienz101]

guys my focus 750 gold seasonic came and i replaced it with my old psu which is a "crap" for everybody here :d

but, i am having some kind of stability problem now i have no idea why, ie. during playing dota2 sometimes game crashes, pubg crashes.

do you have any idea? i never faced these when i was using "crap" psu.

ryzen 1700@3.900mhz 1.39v
corsair cl16 3200mhz@2966 cl15
msi gtx 980@ 1480mhz gpu&1980mhz memory
asus b350 prime plus motherboard

system never got frozen, only some games crash, yea it sounds weird but i didnt update anything, never changed any settings it now happens.

any idea? can it be related to psu?because the only thing was changed in my system; psu.

 

[Rogue Leader]

guys my focus 750 gold seasonic came and i replaced it with my old psu which is a "crap" for everybody here :d

but, i am having some kind of stability problem now i have no idea why, ie. during playing dota2 sometimes game crashes, pubg crashes.

do you have any idea? i never faced these when i was using "crap" psu.

ryzen 1700@3.900mhz 1.39v
corsair cl16 3200mhz@2966 cl15
msi gtx 980@ 1480mhz gpu&1980mhz memory
asus b350 prime plus motherboard

system never got frozen, only some games crash, yea it sounds weird but i didnt update anything, never changed any settings it now happens.

any idea? can it be related to psu?because the only thing was changed in my system; psu.

Its best to start your own new thread you will get more opinions and info than here.

To start make sure you didn't knock anything lose when installing the PSU.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Here's a pretty killer deal if anybody is in the market for a unit this big, for whatever reason. EVGA G3 1000w, for 90 bucks.

https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=220-G3-1000-X1

 

[jankerson]

Here's a pretty killer deal if anybody is in the market for a unit this big, for whatever reason. EVGA G3 1000w, for 90 bucks.

https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=220-G3-1000-X1

Here is another CX that started to go, CX750M this time. Replaced it with a EVGA G2 750W.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3791059/gigabyte-aorus-1080ti-crashing-load.html

 

[logainofhades]

Here's a pretty killer deal if anybody is in the market for a unit this big, for whatever reason. EVGA G3 1000w, for 90 bucks.

https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=220-G3-1000-X1

That's an even better deal than the $89.99 G3 850 Amazon had a couple weeks ago. Getting a quality power supply is much easier on the wallet, these days, thanks to competition.

 

[Onus]

I always got those cables off by squeezing them at the top with a knuckle, which springs the latch. Looked at from the side, you can see how it's hinged.

 

[jankerson]

Something I feel that should be noted and highlighted now as it is important.

With the newer MB's a lot of them have 2X Power Connections.

Only the better 750W and above Modular PSU's have 2X CPU Power cables.

Examples:

Seasonic Focus Plus, Prime Series
EVGA G2 and G3
Corsair RMX

Very few 650W and below units have 2X Power Cables, NONE of the budget units people seem to recommend have them.

I know the Seasonic X-650W and Seasonic 650W Prime Titanium have 2X CPU Power cables.

 

[Darkbreeze]

That is noteworthy, however, for the most part those additional CPU power connections are only needed for extreme/competitive overclocking. All of those boards will run perfectly fine with only the standard 8 pin (4+4) EPS connector, even on the 8/16 CPUs.

 

[jankerson]

That is noteworthy, however, for the most part those additional CPU power connections are only needed for extreme/competitive overclocking. All of those boards will run perfectly fine with only the standard 8 pin (4+4) EPS connector, even on the 8/16 CPUs.

Until they don't, and we are already seeing it here on THG with the newer boards. Mainly the Z390 Boards, so it's something to watch for.

Reason why I brought it up.

I think the way the Z390 power systems is setup may be different on some boards, so they really do need both CPU power connections connected?

 

[Rogue Leader]

That is noteworthy, however, for the most part those additional CPU power connections are only needed for extreme/competitive overclocking. All of those boards will run perfectly fine with only the standard 8 pin (4+4) EPS connector, even on the 8/16 CPUs.

Until they don't, and we are already seeing it here on THG with the newer boards. Mainly the Z390 Boards, so it's something to watch for.

Reason why I brought it up.

I think the way the Z390 power systems is setup may be different on some boards, so they really do need both CPU power connections connected?

Nope

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/ROG_MAXIMUS_XI_FORMULA/E14779_ROG_MAXIMUS_XI_FORMULA_UM_V2_WEB.pdf

Thats the manual for the Maximus XI. If anything you'd expect that board to need it yet if you check out page 2-7 it says you can connect only the 8 pin, or do the 8 and the 4.

IMO if you're running a 9900k you'd be dumb not to connect it. But there is no requirement.